Bloggity Blog Blog

So, I have been awarded the wonderful opportunity to be one of the Carroll Bloggers this summer. I am super duper excited and so I thought I would share my first :)

I am beyond excited to start blogging this summer . . . and I hope some of you share my enthusiasm for this adventure too!  So, if you want to know the basics, you can look over to the column on the left, right?  Yeah.  Anywho, I’m going to ramble a little about some of my fantastic summer plans, and there’s nothing you can do about it. . . except click the little red x, but don’t do that. . . I’m needy (5 points if you name what TV show that’s from).  But I digress, I will be living and working in good ol’ Helena for most of the summer minus a few hiatuses.  One of those hiatuses being a trip back home for what I’m sure will be a needed break, and to get my new license because I’ll be 21!!

 YIKES!

 You know, the older I get I am more keenly aware of how fast time flies, and before you know it your future is your now and your forever away is right down the road.  As scary as that can be, I can hardly wait.  Ahead lies adventures to be taken and fears to conquered, it is also filled with brand new friends and the occasional tough spot.  I am in the middle of a book that talks about life, and how it seems many times we are taking three steps forward and two steps back.  But if you think about it, that is still one step forward, every day.  I can’t speak for you, but I know for me, that at least one step forward every day is a step towards something great.

Keep moving forward,

Rachel   

Blessings in Disguise

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” -Deepak Chopra

What a great way to describe my year.  It seems, no, it WAS a year full of chaos and confusion.  While every year has its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, this year in particular always kept me on my toes.   Even though this year had been ridden with particularly difficult times, I have come to hope that all of these trials are blessings in disguise.

   Loneliness has given way to a greater desire to know my Creator, to grow even deeper in relationship with him.  The uncertainty of my summer plans led to new friendships and an opportunity to try something I have never done before.  Therefore I look forward to these blessings in disguise, not because they will be easy by any means, but that I will come out the other side more keenly aware that I am in fact so so blessed.  

One Less Lonely Girl

I just had to tell someone. . . even though this was from a year ago (and I just forgot to post it) I still think it's worth posting.  Sharing a little of my gratitude for my many gifts :) 

I must say. . . Carroll has given me so many blessing over the past two years, but there are those few that I just don't think I could live without.  I am talking about those splendid boys I call some of closest friends.

Looking at the girl to guy ratio at Carroll, it's almost impossible to understand how I was lucky enough to have all you wonderful boys in my life.  And I must say some of my best memories from the last two years have been created while I was with you.  Saint Patrick's Day 2011.  We went on a little adventure to Wendys to get some green frosties.  But one way or another the order got mixed up and we ended up with three free frosties on top of the three we bought. And on our way back to Carroll, we had gotten in the car and I was instructed to hold three of the frosties, probably not the best idea, since I am less than coordinated.  But we went over a bump and one of the frosties jumped right of my hands!!  Now you can choose to believe what happened next, but I am telling you like it happened.  The frosty flew into the air and landed top side up in the cup hold right next to me.  No joke.

Softball Weekend - 2011
It was a most splendid weekend.  I didn't realize just how much I missed the sport!  But what I also didn't realize is the overwhelming amount support I would receive from those amazing boys.  So as you might know, I am less than graceful . . . a lot less.  And really, it was inevitable that I was going to injure myself.  By the third game I had scraped up my leg and twisted my ankle. Oops!  But those boys were there to get me ice and help me back up the stairs to my room.  I am so incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to become friends with such quality individuals.